Stachys plant named “Bareightyfour”

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Stachys  plant named ‘Bareightyfour’, characterized by its compact and upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; and densely pubescent recurved leaves.

Botanical designation: Stachys byzantina×Stachys debilis.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BAREIGHTYFOUR’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Stachysplant, botanically known as Stachys byzantina×Stachys debilis andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Bareightyfour’.

The new Stachys plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program was to create new compact Stachys plants withunique and attractive leaves.

The new Stachys plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in 2009 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, of a proprietaryselection of Stachys byzantina×Stachys debilis identified as code numberST014, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietaryselection of Stachys byzantina×Stachys debilis identified as code numberST002, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Stachysplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledenvironment in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands in 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Stachys plant by cuttings in acontrolled environment in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands since 2010 has shownthat the unique features of this new Stachys plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Stachys have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Bareightyfour’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Bareightyfour’ as a new and distinct Stachysplant:

-   -   1. Compact and upright plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Densely pubescent recurved leaves.

Plants of the new Stachys and the parent selections differ primarily inplant and growth habit.

Plants of the new Stachys can be compared to plants of Stachysaethiopica ‘NM 001’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,859. Plants ofthe new Stachys and ‘NPN 001’ differ primarily in plant and growthhabit. In addition, plants of the new Stachys do not produce flowerswhereas plants of ‘NPN 001’ are freely-flowering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new Stachys plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Stachys plant.

The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical floweringstem of ‘Bareightyfour’ grown in a container.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photograph and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during the winter in 17-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and undercultural practices typical of commercial Stachys production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures averaged 15° C. and nighttemperatures averaged 10° C. Plants were six months old when thephotograph and description were taken. In the following description,color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Stachys byzantina×Stachys debilis    ‘Bareightyfour’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Stachys            byzantina×Stachys debilis identified as code number ST014,            not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Stachys            byzantina×Stachys debilis identified as code number ST002,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By cuttings.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; white in color.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial typically grown            as a foliage plant; compact and upright plant habit;            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 25 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 25 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 30 cm. Internode length:            About 1 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly.            Texture: Pubescent. Color: Greenish grey.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Length.—About 25 cm.        -   Width.—About 4 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate, recurved.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Densely pubescent.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Close to            155C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 139B            and 156A; venation, close to 139B. Fully expanded leaves,            lower surface: Close to 139B and 156A; venation, close to            139B and 156A.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 10 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to 156A and 139B.-   Flower description: To date, flower initiation and development has    not been observed on plants of the new Stachys.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Stachys have not been    observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Stachys    plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Stachys plant named ‘Bareightyfour’as illustrated and described.